Truss supports Traveston Senate Inquiry
Mr Truss said in a move that will provide some light to the people of the Mary Valley, Senator Boswell today gave notice of a motion in the Senate to refer south east Queensland water including the Traveston Crossing Dam to the Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport.
“The Senate Inquiry will give a voice to those people in the Mary Valley who have been bullied from pillar to post by Peter Beattie and Anna Bligh. The Inquiry will deliver an impartial examination of the social, environmental, engineering and economic impacts of the Dam,” Mr Truss said.
“While the Inquiry of itself cannot prevent the construction of the Dam, it allows the issues to be thoroughly investigated, and gives local people an opportunity to have their say on this important issue.”
“The people of the Mary Valley can be forgiven for being a little sceptical of Mr Beattie when he says the dam stacks up on all grounds, but he will not release any data to support his claims,” Mr Truss said.
“And this makes the Senate inquiry proposed by Senator Boswell all the more vital. It will give Mary Valley residents a forum to discuss the issue, and to obtain information on the real facts.”
Mr Truss urged support for the motion from the Labor Party given that Labor Leader Kevin Rudd indicated he would support any moves for a Senate Inquiry into the Traveston Dam.
Kevin Rudd: Absolutely. All the facts should be on the table. No problems. I don’t particularly mind if it gives difficulties to State Governments around the country. (Radio Interview 2GB Sydney 25th January 2007)
“That is despite his so called environment minister Peter Garrett being unaware of the dam site just a few weeks before,” Mr Truss said.
Peter Garrett: The dam that they want to build outside of Queensland, outside of Brisbane? (ABC Wide Bay, Bundaberg, 11 December 2006)
“I look forward to the people of the Mary Valley and the wider community having their say on the Traveston dam, and I congratulate Senators Boswell, Joyce and Trood for their commitment to democracy,” Mr Truss said.
ENDS
